Pre-fab Track for Broadway
Slab or prefabricated track maybe an economicAi??solution for light rail/streetcar construction on Broadway in Vancouver. Combined with using the existing OHLE (span wires and vertical supports), construction of a streetcar/LRT on Broadway could be built and in operation in less than two years.
The Broadway to UBC route is mainly straight, with little need for custom built curvatureAi??and with pre-fab construction, the roadbed for a new LRT/streetcar line could be built both quickly and with minimal problems for adjacent merchants.
The following article gives good insight to modern tram/streetcar/LRT track construction technique and one hopes that Vancouver’s Engineering Department take note.
Following decades of regress up to insignifi cance, a noticeable renaissance of theAi??tramway has taken place since the 90s. In the last 25 years alone, more than 140 cities around the globe have reintroduced tramway operation. New lines and networks have also emerged in Germany as well as in Eastern and Western Europe. Further new construction projects are planned.
In many cities, small and outdated tramlines are currently being reconstructed or extended. Awarding authorities and planning agencies are facing the tasks to include modern and demanding track systems in the townscape in a harmonic way. Moreover, these building projects must be handled in cities by disturbing residents and city traffic as little as possible. As a matter of course safety, environmental compatibility and quality must not be affected. This trend induced the Max BAi??gl group to develop an modern rail system for the railways of local public transport. Due to the consistently positive experiences with the FFB ai??i?? Slab Track BAi??gl, a system for mainrailway lines based on prefabricated concrete slabs, the basic design principles were adopted in a intelligently simplified way and optimised for different application fields with their special requirements.
The outcome of this was the innovative and very flexible tramway roadbed and track system of the 21st century: LRB ai??i?? Light Rail BAi??gl. Manufactured under certified production conditions in our precast plants, high-technology and high-quality prefabricated LRB elements can be installed by own skilled workers or by local professional companies. The progressive track technology from Max BAi??gl allows to carry out projects in short as possible construction times with highest accuracy and quality. We willingly take on the challenge of individual requirements in terms of design and technical equipment which are within the limits what can be technically realised.
The test authority for traffic route construction of the Technical University of Munich tested the system for fitness for use and durability, showing positive results. The new prefabricatedslab system meets all criteria and specifications of the transport companies in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, safety, environmental protection, reliability and comfort.
http://www.max-boegl.de/boeglnet/web/show.jsp?nodeId=1000109&lang=en
